Telangana Launches 'Rythu Raksha' Digital Crop Insurance Portal

The Telangana Agriculture Ministry officially launched the 'Rythu Raksha' digital crop insurance portal on May 31, 2026. Designed for the Kharif 2026 season, the platform provides a financial safety net for farmers, particularly those growing cotton and paddy. By integrating farmers' identification and Dharani land records, the portal uses satellite imagery and remote sensing to automate crop damage assessments. This eliminates manual surveys, ensuring rapid and transparent claim settlements directly into farmers' bank accounts via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

What Happened

The Telangana Agriculture Ministry launched a new digital platform named the 'Rythu Raksha' portal on May 31, 2026. This portal serves as an advanced crop insurance mechanism. It is designed to provide immediate financial relief to farmers whose crops are damaged by monsoon vagaries, using technology to bypass traditional manual field surveys.

When & Where

The portal was officially activated on May 31, 2026, in Hyderabad, Telangana. Its coverage applies uniformly across all agricultural districts within the state, specifically targeting the Kharif (monsoon) agricultural cycle of 2026.

Who Is Involved

Telangana Agriculture Department: The nodal agency responsible for the scheme's execution and monitoring.
Telangana State Technology Services (TSTS): The technical backbone maintaining the portal's server and satellite integrations.
State Farmers: The primary beneficiaries, particularly those cultivating high-risk Kharif crops like paddy and cotton.

How It Works

Farmers log into the Rythu Raksha portal using their biometric credentials and Dharani land passbook numbers.
The system auto-fetches land extent, ownership data, and crop sowing details for the Kharif season.
During severe weather events, the portal uses real-time satellite imagery to assess crop health and calculate exact damage percentages.
Final compensation amounts are automatically transferred to the farmers' bank accounts via the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) network.

Why It Matters

This initiative is a massive leap for e-governance in agriculture. Economically, it prevents farmers from falling into debt traps by ensuring fast payouts. Administratively, it reduces corruption and red tape by eliminating manual Crop Cutting Experiments (CCEs). This topic is highly relevant for UPSC GS Paper 3 (E-technology in the aid of farmers) and TSPSC Economy sections.

Historical Background

Agricultural insurance in India has evolved from the National Agricultural Insurance Scheme (1999) to the PMFBY (2016). In Telangana, the government launched the Rythu Bandhu scheme in 2018 to provide direct investment support. Rythu Raksha is the next evolutionary step, shifting the focus from initial investment support to post-disaster risk mitigation.

Previous Related Events

2018: Launch of Rythu Bandhu, establishing a robust database of farmer bank accounts.
2020: Launch of the Dharani Portal, digitizing all agricultural land records across the state.
2023: Integration of satellite mapping pilot projects in select Telangana districts to test yield estimation.

Static GK Connection

Article 48: Part IV (DPSP) of the Indian Constitution urges the State to organize agriculture on modern and scientific lines.
Kharif Crops: These are monsoon crops sown in June-July and harvested in September-October. Key examples are paddy, cotton, maize, and soybean.

India & World Comparison

Globally, countries like the USA and nations in the European Union rely heavily on satellite data (like the Copernicus programme) to issue farm subsidies and insurance. In India, while the central PMFBY scheme is one of the largest globally, Telangana’s Rythu Raksha stands out as a highly localized, state-funded model that minimizes dependence on central bureaucratic delays.

Future Impact

The state aims to achieve 100% digital enrollment of eligible Kharif farmers by August 2026. If successful, the portal will likely be expanded to cover the Rabi (winter) crop season. Furthermore, it sets a digital benchmark that other Indian states may adopt to modernize their own agricultural relief mechanisms.

🔑 Key Points for Revision

Scheme Name: Rythu Raksha Digital Crop Insurance Portal.
Launched By: Telangana Agriculture Ministry.
Launch Date: May 31, 2026.
Target Season: Kharif 2026.
Primary Crops: Cotton and Paddy.
Core Technology: Satellite imagery and remote sensing.
Database Integration 1: Dharani portal for land records.
Database Integration 2: Biometric/Aadhaar data for identity verification.
Payment Mechanism: Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
Major Advantage: Eliminates manual Crop Cutting Experiments (CCEs).
Constitutional Link: Article 48 (Modernising agriculture).
Economic Fact: Telangana is India's 3rd largest cotton producer.
Predecessor Scheme: Rythu Bandhu (Investment support, launched 2018).
Tech Backbone Origin: Dharani portal was launched in 2020.
Upcoming Target: 100% digital insurance coverage by August 2026.

🧠 Concept Link (Static GK Deep Dive)

Core Concept: Digital Crop Insurance & Remote Sensing

Definition: The use of satellite data and digital portals to monitor crop health, assess damage, and automate insurance payouts without physical field surveys.
Constitutional / Legal Basis: Supported by the Information Technology Act, 2000, promoting electronic governance and digital service delivery.
Scientific / Economic Principle: Relies on the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) which uses satellite sensors to measure the greenness and health of crops.
How it connects to this event: Rythu Raksha utilizes NDVI and remote sensing to bypass slow, manual damage assessment.
Origin & History: Use of remote sensing in Indian agriculture gained momentum with the establishment of the Mahalanobis National Crop Forecast Centre (MNCFC) in 2012.
Key milestone 1: The launch of PMFBY in 2016, which officially encouraged the use of remote sensing and drones for yield estimation.
Key milestone 2: The launch of the Dharani portal in 2020, digitizing the spatial land records necessary for exact satellite mapping.
Related Acts / Schemes / Treaties: Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), Restructured Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme (RWBCIS), National e-Governance Plan in Agriculture (NeGPA).
Nodal Ministry / Body: Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare at the Centre; State Agriculture Departments at the state level.
India-specific relevance: With nearly 55% of the workforce engaged in agriculture and rising climate anomalies, rapid insurance settlement is vital for rural stability.
Global comparison: The EU’s Common Agricultural Policy uses satellite data extensively for compliance and subsidy distribution.
Data point: Traditional manual crop cutting experiments can take 3 to 6 months to process claims; digital remote sensing cuts this to a few weeks.
Common exam angle: Questions frequently ask about the exact technology used (NDVI, remote sensing) and the specific state portals involved (like Dharani).
Easy memory hook: "Dharani data + Satellite sight = Rythu Raksha pays right."

❓ Practice MCQs

Q1. Which state government launched the 'Rythu Raksha' digital crop insurance portal?

A) Andhra Pradesh

B) Telangana

C) Karnataka

D) Maharashtra

Answer: B

Explanation: The Telangana Agriculture Ministry launched the Rythu Raksha portal on May 31, 2026.

Q2. The Rythu Raksha portal primarily targets farmers for which agricultural season in 2026?

A) Zaid

B) Rabi

C) Kharif

D) Annual

Answer: C

Explanation: The portal was specifically launched ahead of the monsoon to cover the Kharif 2026 season.

Q3. Which technology does the Rythu Raksha portal use to assess crop damage without manual surveys?

A) Soil Health Cards

B) Subsurface drip irrigation

C) Satellite imagery and remote sensing

D) Manual Crop Cutting Experiments

Answer: C

Explanation: The portal utilizes satellite imagery and remote sensing data to automate accurate crop damage assessments.

Q4. Which existing state land records portal is integrated with Rythu Raksha for farmer enrollment?

A) Bhoomi

B) Dharani

C) MeeSeva

D) e-Pragati

Answer: B

Explanation: Farmers enroll using their Dharani portal credentials, which is Telangana’s integrated land records management system.

Q5. What is the primary method of claim settlement under the Rythu Raksha portal?

A) Subsidised seeds allocation

B) Physical cheques distributed via Gram Panchayats

C) Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT)

D) Premium waivers for the next year

Answer: C

Explanation: The platform ensures rapid and transparent Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT) directly into farmers' bank accounts.

Q6. Which specific crops are highlighted as primary targets for maximum coverage under this scheme for Kharif 2026?

A) Wheat and Mustard

B) Cotton and Paddy

C) Gram and Barley

D) Sugarcane and Jute

Answer: B

Explanation: The initiative targets maximum coverage for cotton and paddy cultivators, which are the dominant Kharif crops in the state.

Q7. How does the implementation of Rythu Raksha align with the Directive Principles of State Policy?

A) It fulfills Article 40 by empowering village panchayats.

B) It aligns with Article 48 by organizing agriculture on modern and scientific lines.

C) It relates to Article 44 by ensuring a uniform agricultural code.

D) It supports Article 50 by separating the judiciary from the executive.

Answer: B

Explanation: Article 48 directs the State to organize agriculture and animal husbandry on modern and scientific lines, which includes digital technology integration.

Q8. Why is the elimination of Crop Cutting Experiments (CCEs) through Rythu Raksha significant for farmers?

A) It increases the insurance premium paid by the farmers.

B) It removes the need for farmers to have bank accounts.

C) It significantly reduces the time taken to process and settle insurance claims.

D) It shifts the financial burden entirely to the central government.

Answer: C

Explanation: Remote sensing automates damage assessment, bypassing time-consuming manual CCEs and ensuring rapid payouts to farmers in distress.

📜 Previous Year Question Style (PYQ)

PYQ 1:

In the context of agricultural e-governance in Telangana, the 'Dharani' portal is strictly associated with:

A) Procurement of agricultural produce at MSP

B) Integrated land records management

C) Distribution of subsidized fertilizers

D) Monitoring of groundwater levels

Answer: B

Explanation: Launched in 2020, Dharani is Telangana's official integrated land records management system used to verify land ownership.

PYQ 2:

Consider the following statements regarding the Rythu Raksha portal:

1. It is a digital crop insurance platform launched by the Telangana government.
2. It mandates physical verification by village revenue officers for all claim settlements.
3. It uses remote sensing data to automate crop damage assessments.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

A) 1 only

B) 1 and 3 only

C) 2 and 3 only

D) All of the above

Answer: B

Explanation: Statement 2 is incorrect because the portal uses satellite imagery to bypass manual/physical surveys entirely.

PYQ 3:

Assertion (A): The Rythu Raksha portal accelerates the insurance claim settlement process during natural calamities.

Reason (R): The portal relies on Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) and satellite-based crop damage assessment rather than manual Crop Cutting Experiments.

A) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.

B) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.

C) A is true, but R is false.

D) A is false, but R is true.

Answer: A

Explanation: The integration of satellite tech and DBT completely eliminates bureaucratic delays, making the Reason the perfect explanation for the Assertion.

✍️ Mains Answer Pointers

Question 1 (150 words): Discuss the significance of integrating digital technology into crop insurance schemes, with reference to Telangana's 'Rythu Raksha' portal.

Introduction: Briefly introduce Rythu Raksha as a digital safety net for Kharif crops leveraging satellite data.
Body Point 1: [Governance] Reduces bureaucratic red tape and corruption by eliminating slow, manual Crop Cutting Experiments (CCEs).
Body Point 2: [Economic] Ensures timely Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) during climate-induced distress, shielding farmers from local moneylenders.
Body Point 3: [Technological] The synergy between digital land records (Dharani) and remote sensing ensures high targeting accuracy.
Conclusion: State-led technological interventions like Rythu Raksha act as a model for climate-resilient agricultural policy in India.
Data/Diagram to include: Flowchart: Dharani Data + Satellite Imagery → Automated Assessment → DBT Payout.

Question 2 (250 words): "State-specific agricultural initiatives are crucial for addressing localized agrarian challenges." Evaluate this statement in the context of Telangana's agricultural policies, focusing on the newly launched Rythu Raksha portal.

Introduction: Define the agrarian landscape of Telangana and the urgent need for tailored policies against monsoon vulnerabilities.
Body Point 1: [Historical background] Trace the evolution of state policy from direct investment support (Rythu Bandhu) to risk mitigation (Rythu Raksha).
Body Point 2: [Current event analysis] Detail how Rythu Raksha integrates biometric IDs and Dharani for a seamless insurance experience for Kharif 2026.
Body Point 3: [Economic dimension] Protects high-value cash crops like cotton, which form the backbone of the state's rural economy.
Body Point 4: [Governance dimension] Decentralized state-level models often bypass the structural delays and fund-sharing disputes seen in central schemes.
Body Point 5: [Challenges] Note potential hurdles like digital illiteracy, localized server downtimes, or satellite inaccuracies during minor pest attacks.
Conclusion: While state-specific schemes provide targeted relief, a hybrid approach combining state agility with central technological backing is the ideal way forward.
Data/Diagram to include: Timeline of Telangana agritech milestones (2018: Rythu Bandhu → 2020: Dharani → 2026: Rythu Raksha).

⚠️ Examiner Trap

Trap 1: Students often confuse Rythu Raksha with Rythu Bandhu. The correct fact is that Rythu Bandhu is a pre-sowing investment support scheme, whereas Rythu Raksha is a post-disaster digital crop insurance portal.
Trap 2: A common wrong assumption is that physical crop surveys remain mandatory for claim settlements in all Indian states. The reality is that Rythu Raksha uses satellite imagery and remote sensing to bypass these manual surveys entirely.
Trap 3: Many students miss the specific season when answering questions on this topic. Always remember this portal was explicitly launched targeting the Kharif 2026 season (specifically for cotton and paddy).

🧭 Exam Tip

For Prelims, examiners will heavily focus on the specific technologies (remote sensing/satellite imagery) and the state portal it integrates with (Dharani). For Mains, the focus will be on "e-governance in agriculture" and the shift from manual surveys to automated Direct Benefit Transfers. This topic is highly relevant for TSPSC interviews, where you may be asked to evaluate state vs. central insurance models. High-probability prediction: Expect a direct MCQ on how the Dharani portal acts as the backbone for crop insurance enrollment in upcoming TSPSC Group 1/2 exams.

Telangana Launches 'Rythu Raksha' Digital Crop Insurance Portal

What Happened

When & Where

Who Is Involved

Telangana Agriculture Department: The nodal agency responsible for the scheme's execution and monitoring.
Telangana State Technology Services (TSTS): The technical backbone maintaining the portal's server and satellite integrations.
State Farmers: The primary beneficiaries, particularly those cultivating high-risk Kharif crops like paddy and cotton.

How It Works

Farmers log into the Rythu Raksha portal using their biometric credentials and Dharani land passbook numbers.
The system auto-fetches land extent, ownership data, and crop sowing details for the Kharif season.
During severe weather events, the portal uses real-time satellite imagery to assess crop health and calculate exact damage percentages.
Final compensation amounts are automatically transferred to the farmers' bank accounts via the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) network.

Why It Matters

Historical Background

Previous Related Events

2018: Launch of Rythu Bandhu, establishing a robust database of farmer bank accounts.
2020: Launch of the Dharani Portal, digitizing all agricultural land records across the state.
2023: Integration of satellite mapping pilot projects in select Telangana districts to test yield estimation.

Static GK Connection

Article 48: Part IV (DPSP) of the Indian Constitution urges the State to organize agriculture on modern and scientific lines.
Kharif Crops: These are monsoon crops sown in June-July and harvested in September-October. Key examples are paddy, cotton, maize, and soybean.

India & World Comparison

Future Impact

🔑 Key Points for Revision

Scheme Name: Rythu Raksha Digital Crop Insurance Portal.
Launched By: Telangana Agriculture Ministry.
Launch Date: May 31, 2026.
Target Season: Kharif 2026.
Primary Crops: Cotton and Paddy.
Core Technology: Satellite imagery and remote sensing.
Database Integration 1: Dharani portal for land records.
Database Integration 2: Biometric/Aadhaar data for identity verification.
Payment Mechanism: Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
Major Advantage: Eliminates manual Crop Cutting Experiments (CCEs).
Constitutional Link: Article 48 (Modernising agriculture).
Economic Fact: Telangana is India's 3rd largest cotton producer.
Predecessor Scheme: Rythu Bandhu (Investment support, launched 2018).
Tech Backbone Origin: Dharani portal was launched in 2020.
Upcoming Target: 100% digital insurance coverage by August 2026.

🧠 Concept Link (Static GK Deep Dive)

Core Concept: Digital Crop Insurance & Remote Sensing

Definition: The use of satellite data and digital portals to monitor crop health, assess damage, and automate insurance payouts without physical field surveys.
Constitutional / Legal Basis: Supported by the Information Technology Act, 2000, promoting electronic governance and digital service delivery.
Scientific / Economic Principle: Relies on the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) which uses satellite sensors to measure the greenness and health of crops.
How it connects to this event: Rythu Raksha utilizes NDVI and remote sensing to bypass slow, manual damage assessment.
Origin & History: Use of remote sensing in Indian agriculture gained momentum with the establishment of the Mahalanobis National Crop Forecast Centre (MNCFC) in 2012.
Key milestone 1: The launch of PMFBY in 2016, which officially encouraged the use of remote sensing and drones for yield estimation.
Key milestone 2: The launch of the Dharani portal in 2020, digitizing the spatial land records necessary for exact satellite mapping.
Related Acts / Schemes / Treaties: Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), Restructured Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme (RWBCIS), National e-Governance Plan in Agriculture (NeGPA).
Nodal Ministry / Body: Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare at the Centre; State Agriculture Departments at the state level.
India-specific relevance: With nearly 55% of the workforce engaged in agriculture and rising climate anomalies, rapid insurance settlement is vital for rural stability.
Global comparison: The EU’s Common Agricultural Policy uses satellite data extensively for compliance and subsidy distribution.
Data point: Traditional manual crop cutting experiments can take 3 to 6 months to process claims; digital remote sensing cuts this to a few weeks.
Common exam angle: Questions frequently ask about the exact technology used (NDVI, remote sensing) and the specific state portals involved (like Dharani).
Easy memory hook: "Dharani data + Satellite sight = Rythu Raksha pays right."

❓ Practice MCQs

Q1. Which state government launched the 'Rythu Raksha' digital crop insurance portal?

A) Andhra Pradesh

B) Telangana

C) Karnataka

D) Maharashtra

Answer: B

Explanation: The Telangana Agriculture Ministry launched the Rythu Raksha portal on May 31, 2026.

Q2. The Rythu Raksha portal primarily targets farmers for which agricultural season in 2026?

A) Zaid

B) Rabi

C) Kharif

D) Annual

Answer: C

Explanation: The portal was specifically launched ahead of the monsoon to cover the Kharif 2026 season.

Q3. Which technology does the Rythu Raksha portal use to assess crop damage without manual surveys?

A) Soil Health Cards

B) Subsurface drip irrigation

C) Satellite imagery and remote sensing

D) Manual Crop Cutting Experiments

Answer: C

Explanation: The portal utilizes satellite imagery and remote sensing data to automate accurate crop damage assessments.

Q4. Which existing state land records portal is integrated with Rythu Raksha for farmer enrollment?

A) Bhoomi

B) Dharani

C) MeeSeva

D) e-Pragati

Answer: B

Explanation: Farmers enroll using their Dharani portal credentials, which is Telangana’s integrated land records management system.

Q5. What is the primary method of claim settlement under the Rythu Raksha portal?

A) Subsidised seeds allocation

B) Physical cheques distributed via Gram Panchayats

C) Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT)

D) Premium waivers for the next year

Answer: C

Explanation: The platform ensures rapid and transparent Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT) directly into farmers' bank accounts.

Q6. Which specific crops are highlighted as primary targets for maximum coverage under this scheme for Kharif 2026?

A) Wheat and Mustard

B) Cotton and Paddy

C) Gram and Barley

D) Sugarcane and Jute

Answer: B

Explanation: The initiative targets maximum coverage for cotton and paddy cultivators, which are the dominant Kharif crops in the state.

Q7. How does the implementation of Rythu Raksha align with the Directive Principles of State Policy?

A) It fulfills Article 40 by empowering village panchayats.

B) It aligns with Article 48 by organizing agriculture on modern and scientific lines.

C) It relates to Article 44 by ensuring a uniform agricultural code.

D) It supports Article 50 by separating the judiciary from the executive.

Answer: B

Explanation: Article 48 directs the State to organize agriculture and animal husbandry on modern and scientific lines, which includes digital technology integration.

Q8. Why is the elimination of Crop Cutting Experiments (CCEs) through Rythu Raksha significant for farmers?

A) It increases the insurance premium paid by the farmers.

B) It removes the need for farmers to have bank accounts.

C) It significantly reduces the time taken to process and settle insurance claims.

D) It shifts the financial burden entirely to the central government.

Answer: C

Explanation: Remote sensing automates damage assessment, bypassing time-consuming manual CCEs and ensuring rapid payouts to farmers in distress.

📜 Previous Year Question Style (PYQ)

PYQ 1:

In the context of agricultural e-governance in Telangana, the 'Dharani' portal is strictly associated with:

A) Procurement of agricultural produce at MSP

B) Integrated land records management

C) Distribution of subsidized fertilizers

D) Monitoring of groundwater levels

Answer: B

Explanation: Launched in 2020, Dharani is Telangana's official integrated land records management system used to verify land ownership.

PYQ 2:

Consider the following statements regarding the Rythu Raksha portal:

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

A) 1 only

B) 1 and 3 only

C) 2 and 3 only

D) All of the above

Answer: B

Explanation: Statement 2 is incorrect because the portal uses satellite imagery to bypass manual/physical surveys entirely.

PYQ 3:

Assertion (A): The Rythu Raksha portal accelerates the insurance claim settlement process during natural calamities.

Reason (R): The portal relies on Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) and satellite-based crop damage assessment rather than manual Crop Cutting Experiments.

A) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.

B) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.

C) A is true, but R is false.

D) A is false, but R is true.

Answer: A

Explanation: The integration of satellite tech and DBT completely eliminates bureaucratic delays, making the Reason the perfect explanation for the Assertion.

✍️ Mains Answer Pointers

Question 1 (150 words): Discuss the significance of integrating digital technology into crop insurance schemes, with reference to Telangana's 'Rythu Raksha' portal.

Introduction: Briefly introduce Rythu Raksha as a digital safety net for Kharif crops leveraging satellite data.
Body Point 1: [Governance] Reduces bureaucratic red tape and corruption by eliminating slow, manual Crop Cutting Experiments (CCEs).
Body Point 2: [Economic] Ensures timely Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) during climate-induced distress, shielding farmers from local moneylenders.
Body Point 3: [Technological] The synergy between digital land records (Dharani) and remote sensing ensures high targeting accuracy.
Conclusion: State-led technological interventions like Rythu Raksha act as a model for climate-resilient agricultural policy in India.
Data/Diagram to include: Flowchart: Dharani Data + Satellite Imagery → Automated Assessment → DBT Payout.

Introduction: Define the agrarian landscape of Telangana and the urgent need for tailored policies against monsoon vulnerabilities.
Body Point 1: [Historical background] Trace the evolution of state policy from direct investment support (Rythu Bandhu) to risk mitigation (Rythu Raksha).
Body Point 2: [Current event analysis] Detail how Rythu Raksha integrates biometric IDs and Dharani for a seamless insurance experience for Kharif 2026.
Body Point 3: [Economic dimension] Protects high-value cash crops like cotton, which form the backbone of the state's rural economy.
Body Point 4: [Governance dimension] Decentralized state-level models often bypass the structural delays and fund-sharing disputes seen in central schemes.
Body Point 5: [Challenges] Note potential hurdles like digital illiteracy, localized server downtimes, or satellite inaccuracies during minor pest attacks.
Conclusion: While state-specific schemes provide targeted relief, a hybrid approach combining state agility with central technological backing is the ideal way forward.
Data/Diagram to include: Timeline of Telangana agritech milestones (2018: Rythu Bandhu → 2020: Dharani → 2026: Rythu Raksha).

⚠️ Examiner Trap

Trap 1: Students often confuse Rythu Raksha with Rythu Bandhu. The correct fact is that Rythu Bandhu is a pre-sowing investment support scheme, whereas Rythu Raksha is a post-disaster digital crop insurance portal.
Trap 2: A common wrong assumption is that physical crop surveys remain mandatory for claim settlements in all Indian states. The reality is that Rythu Raksha uses satellite imagery and remote sensing to bypass these manual surveys entirely.
Trap 3: Many students miss the specific season when answering questions on this topic. Always remember this portal was explicitly launched targeting the Kharif 2026 season (specifically for cotton and paddy).